Wednesday, December 30, 2009

You're a Big Boy Now (1966)

Post-teen virgin moves to New York City, falls for a cold-hearted beauty, then finds true love with a loyal girl. [imdb]

Nominated for 1 Oscar:Best Supporting Actress: Geraldine Page

I have seen this gradually at work, when I got some free time. For those curious, it's available on Youtube, because otherwise it's very hard to find. It's the first serious film of Francis Ford Coppola, allegedly for his master thesis at film school. It does have a beginner feel to it, but even so: he managed to gather a highly respectable cast: Geraldine Page, Rip Torn, Julie Harris, Elizabeth Hartman and this is also the 1st film of Karen Black.

You're a Big Boy Now is a goofy project, an exagerated comedy with a very shaky screenplay. The key of it all stands in the direction, which is meant to surprise and look inovative. I'm sure it was cool for that era and there are small direction elements that stand out without being obvious. But for the most of it, it remains an experimental film school project, with a certain immaturity attached to it. It's easy to watch, but not fully satisfying. Julie Harris is funny and Geraldine Page memorable, even though it's hardly a deserved Oscar nomination...

My rating for the film: 5.5/10. I just hoped for a good ending and it didn't deliver.